HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SMOKING

Lung Disease:

Smoking is involved in 85 percent of all lung cancer deaths.Smoking accounts for about 80 to 90 percent of all chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This includes diseases like emphysema, which is when the alveoli in the lungs becomes damaged. The lungs are composed of many sacs called alveoli. In a healthy lung, the alveoli receive oxygen from the bronchial airways and the alveoli expands and contracts. On the inner surface of the alveoli, oxygen is absorbed and enters the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is released. Chronic bronchitis is also resulted from smoking and that is when the bronchial airways are damaged. An individual with chronic bronchitis is more likely to get a bacterial infection if he or she is a smoker. Chronic mucus secretion and chronic air flow blocks are also resulted from smoking. A smoker gets more nose and throat inflammations, respiratory infections, and chronic bronchitis than a non-smoker.

Heart Disease:

Cigarette smoking accounts for 30 percent of all heart disease deaths. The carbon monoxide in the burning smoke causes more cholesterol clogging in the arteries. Smoking causes a stiffness in the walls of the arteries which is harmful to the artery and increases the risk for an artery to rupture. The nicotine in the cigarettes can raise your blood pressure, heart rate, and the oxygen demand for your muscles, especially the muscles found in your heart. A coronary spasm may occur during smoking, which may lead to chest pain, and a heart attack. Also, blood clots more often in smokers than innon-smokers.

Cancers:

Smoking is the major cause of cancer in the lips, tongue, salivary glands, mouth, larynx, esophagus, and lower middle pharynx. Smoking can be directly associated with the development of stomach cancer. Smoking is known to cause bladder cancer. Unfortunately, quitting smoking will not significantly reduce the risk of bladder cancer. Smoking has been linked to cancers of the renal pelvis, which is part of the kidney. It is also associated with the uterine cervix, and the pancreas. There is also a strong association with smoking and leukemia.

Hormonal Problems:

Women smokers enter menopause an average of five years earlier than non-smokers. Smoking and nicotine can alter a number of hormones involved in the reproductive system. Women who smoke are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. In male smokers, the mobility of the sperm is reduced. So smoking significantly effects the reproductive system.